A petrol tanker accident on the Abeokuta–Sagamu Expressway in Ogun State has left several people feared dead and properties destroyed after a midnight inferno.
The spokesperson of the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency (TRACE), Babatunde Akinbiyi, confirmed the incident on Friday, noting that the fire started around 1 a.m. when a 33,000-litre tanker, speeding along the Abeokuta–Kobape–Siun–Sagamu stretch, overturned and spilled its contents.
The spill triggered a massive fire that spread to nearby vehicles and electricity poles.
A truck, a tow vehicle, and power cables supplying electricity to Mowe and its environs were destroyed in the blaze.
Although the exact casualty figure remains unclear, multiple deaths are feared.
Rescue operations involving TRACE, the Ogun State Fire Service, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), police, Amotekun, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and Nestlé PLC Fire Service are ongoing.
Akinbiyi added that traffic along the corridor has been reduced to a single lane, urging motorists to remain calm and cooperate with responders.
“This unfortunate incident has led to diversions and traffic re-routing. We appeal to the motoring public for patience and understanding,” he said.
Tanker-related fire disasters are frequent in Nigeria, often with devastating consequences.
In October 2024, a tanker explosion at Ibafo on the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway killed one person and destroyed several vehicles, while in July 2025, another fuel tanker crash in Ibadan caused extensive damage after brake failure.
The recurring tragedies continue to raise concerns about road safety, regulation of petroleum haulage, and emergency response mechanisms in the country.